Delta Air Lines' VIP Select Service, "operates in stealth mode and exposure appears limited to direct corporate sales activity and the occasional published article," according to the report. If you can book the service, it offers a personal escort, access to priority check-in, fast-track security, access to Delta SkyClub and discreet boarding when you want. In Los Angeles, they'll drive you to the aircraft in a Porsche. Price: $125 for one person and $200 for two in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco; $350 for one person and $425 for two in Atlanta.
Photo: Michael N. Todaro, Getty Images

Delta Air Lines' VIP Select Service, "operates in stealth mode and...

Air France will escort you through the airport, in your language, including travel tips, help with airport procedures and duty-free shopping; pre-check baggage for departures and deliver bags on arrival; and organize your trip to or from the airport. Price: $189 for one to three people at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport, $162 at other airports, at current exchange rates.
Photo: Alexis Gerard, Flickr Vision

Air France will escort you through the airport, in your language,...

Lufthansa will provide a guide to meet passengers, answer questions in more than 30 languages and escort them to the gate, baggage claim, restaurants, hotel shuttles or car rental counters. Price: $102 for one to five passengers, at current exchange rates, plus $41 for a guide speaking a language other than German or English. Lufthansa also offers elite travelers a limousine ride to the airplane if it's not leaving from a gate. At the other end, the assistants take travelers from the gate to an exclusive area to pick up their bags. In Frankfurt, Lufthansa has an entire first class terminal, with valet parking and rental car return, quiet rooms, a cigar lounge, a "Wining & Dining Area," office units, and bathrooms with "high-quality toiletries, fluffy bathrobes and hand towels."
Photo: Sean Gallup, Getty Images

Lufthansa will provide a guide to meet passengers, answer questions...

Emirates Airline's "Marhaba" gold service provides a dedicated escort on arrivals and departures in Dubai and Bahrain, complimentary porters, special lounges, including one where you wait while your escort processes passport clearance in Bahrain, and priority buggy car transfer through the airport in Dubai. Price: $56 to $89 per person. This photo has nothing to do with this service, but does show how Emirates transports a really expensive cello.
Photo: Sandra Teddy, Getty Images

Emirates Airline's "Marhaba" gold service provides a dedicated...

Etihad's "Meet & Greet Service" at Abu Dhabi International Airport features a personal welcome, escort through the departure process, assistance through the arrival process, fast-track immigration and complimentary porter service from baggage claim to the curb. Price: $68 for Departure Gold Service, $55 for Arrivals Gold Service. But wait, there's more. Etihad also offers a chauffer service for elite travelers to and from the airport in 25 cities.
Photo: Etihad

Etihad's "Meet & Greet Service" at Abu Dhabi International...

LOT Polish Airlines offers a "Meet and Greet" service at Warsaw Chopin Airport. A representative greets you at the terminal entrance, carries your bags to a dedicated check-in desk, then guides you to the gate for priority boarding. Price: $39 ($65 for a family, $74 for group of up to five, based on current exchange rates).
Photo: LOT Polish Airlines

LOT Polish Airlines offers a "Meet and Greet" service at Warsaw...

Qatar Airways' Al Maha Services gives passengers access to dedicated Immigration clearance facilities. "Our valued guests can relax in comfort and enjoy some light refreshments and catch up on the daily news, whilst their visa is being processed," the airline boasts. The Elite Level service also comes with a guide, porter service, and travel to and from the aircraft by BMW 7 series saloon car. Price: $412 at current exchange rates for elite service.
Photo: Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways' Al Maha Services gives passengers access to...

American Airlines' "Five Star Service" coordinates with a car service, meets you at the curb, helps with check-in, including access to personal "Flagship Check-In" agents in certain cities, expedites security clearance, gives you access to the Admirals Club Lounge, escorts you to the gate and gives you pre-boarding. Price: $250 on domestic flights ($300 international) for the first adult, plus $75 for each additional adult and $50 for each child.
Photo: American Airlines

American Airlines' "Five Star Service" coordinates with a car...

Hawaiian Airlines' Waikiki Package offers a fresh flower lei greeting on arrival in Honolulu, roundtrip transport to and from area hotels, baggage handling and an orientation breakfast the morning after arrival. Price: $42.50 per person to Waikiki hotels, $43.50 to Kahala hotels.

Hawaiian Airlines' Waikiki Package offers a fresh flower lei...

This is not what Air Asia is talking about with its "Red Carpet" service. What the service does provide is a dedicated check-in area, priority baggage tagging and loading, access to the lounge, fast-track immigration and security clearance and priority baggage delivery upon arrival. Price: $54 pre-book domestic, $92 international, based on current exchange rates.
Photo: Matt Lehman Photography, Hiimpactcommunications.com

Much has been made in recent years about the increasing luxury of first-class air travel, with gourmet meals, free drinks, flat beds, suites and even showers. But do you ever wonder how posh travelers make their way to and from the aircraft?

"At the highest level of service and status, airlines will meet and greet passengers at the curb, provide private screening, and whisk them to planeside in a sedan car on the ramp," the authors wrote.

The airline industry followed casinos in providing VIP treatment to their best customers, starting with rewards based on mileage accumulation, the authors wrote. These days, you can just buy the treatment if you can swing the cost.

Click through the gallery above to see what different airlines offer, and how much it will set you back.